Parent Resources


USA Learns A free website for adults to learn English. It includes directions in Spanish.

is a brochure stressing the importance of maintaining the home language. See the related PowerPoint in the following link. http://www.ryerson.ca/mylanguage/hold_on/ from Ryerson University in Canada. Rec. by Cristina-Sanchez Lopez and Tammy King, IRC

a letter to parents by Elizabeth Coelho, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada, Rec by Cristina Sanchez-Lopez and Tammy King, IRC

Colorín Colorado, multiple resources for families and teachers. This link is to resources in Spanish.


Illinois Parents is the connecting link to resources for Illinois families on raising and educating their children and a menu of resources for schools in their work with families.Here you will discover educational resources, local programs, organizations, and events that provide parenting information and services for Illinois families.

The Family Engagement Framework

The ISBE Family Engagement Framework Guide is a tool for ISBE, school districts, and schools to use in developing and expanding school-family partnerships to support improved student learning and healthy development outcomes. This resource brings together research, promising practices, and a consolidation of key program requirements to provide districts, schools, and families with tools to assist with planning, implementation, and evaluation of family engagement practices.

The Family Engagement Tool

A 2-year plan based on assessed needs and effective practice, with rich resources

The web-based Family Engagement Tool (FET) guides a school team (including parents) in assessing every aspect of its family engagement programs and practices and creating and monitoring an improvement plan based on indicators of effective practice. The needs assessment phase is completed in about 5 hours by the school team. FET’s two-year process helps the school determine needs, set priorities, develop a plan, monitor the plan, and strengthen the school community See Spanish resources in the sidebar.

Parent Resources Links to resources for Parents collected by J. Gordon with contributions of teachers in ESL Methods Classes

Reaching Out to Latino Families of English Language Learners Book by David Campos, Rocio Delgado and Mary Esther Soto Huerta

Financial Literacy Resources in Spanish and English for Students and Parents

Illinois State Board of Education Bilingual Dept. Resources for parents

CASANOTES This site provides templates of notes to communicate with parents. It is available in Spanish and English

Counseling Resources Select to view multiple resources for high school counselors

Community Resources

Resources for Librarians
Resources for Librarians serving ELLs and their families. The site includes links to multicultural literature and Spanish literature.
Serving Recent Immigrant Students through School Community Partnerships Newsletter The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement

Multilingual Resources

Dual Langauge Showcase This site developed by Thornwood Public School in Canada explains and showcases how students in multilingual classes develop their own bilingual books. Such practices are highly effective for teaching English by building on the native language and celebrating the home cultures.

International Children's Digital Library Multilingual books online. Select "Using the Library" to see the multiple options.

News and Analysis in 27 Languages Scroll down

Enchanted Learning Downloadable books in various languages, bilingual picture dictionaries, content area graphics and much more.


Multicultural Resources

Lessons Learned from Immigrant Families By: Young-Chan Han (2010)The author shares several stories of immigrants adjusting to the school and culture with recommendations for schools.

Immersion This powerful video from Videos that Matter on UTube provides a powerful example of the negative effects of Immersion.

ARABIC RESOURCES

Hispanic Heritage Resources Colorín Colorado celebrates family traditions and the rich diversity of HIspanics with books, activities, and a variety of resources and ideas for ELL educators. This wonderful site offers many resources in Spanish as well as resources for Native Americans, and Asian Pacific groups, among others.
Asian Pacific Heritage Resources

Teaching Tolerance, a Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center See Lesson plans and free DVDs. Rec. by Miguel Castillo

A place for educators to find thought-provoking news, conversation and support for those who care about diversity, equal opportunity and respect for differences in schools